Interactive Media BSc (Hons)
Course code I610
What is special about this course?
The aim of the BSc (Hons) in Interactive Media is to give you a professional grounding in the development of interactive and digital media products while allowing you the scope to specialise in a number of key areas and work with external clients on real industry projects.
The term 'interactive media' defines a collection of disparate technologies which provide a user experience using digital platforms. These range from websites, mobile apps, software applications and even interactive installations. Digital content creation goes hand-in-hand with an understanding of interactive media and disciplines such as graphic design, animation, video and audio production, all form part of the subject area.
The course will encourage your creativity and entrepreneurial qualities and also give you the solid theoretical and technical understanding you need to succeed. Graduates from this degree will: be equipped to think creatively; have a solid foundation of knowledge in a number of key technical areas; and have the confidence and ability to enter a workplace environment, become self-employed or form a start-up company.
Special features
- A practical focussed course teaching technical skills in a wide range of disciplines including web, mobile apps and computer games
- Encourages creative thinking in a variety of contexts for the creation of digital media including graphic design, video, audio and animation
- Live projects give learners experience of working with real world clients on a number of exciting projects.
Accommodation
We offer modern student accommodation at a number of our locations.
Entry requirements
Entry to year one, HNC Digital Design and Web Development:
- 1 Scottish Higher at grade C or above OR
- 1 A level at grade D or above
- Alternatively, NC Computing with Digital Media Level 6 OR
- Foundation Apprenticeship Creative and Digital Media
- Applicants with other qualifications or experience will be considered on an individual basis, based on a portfolio review and interview.
Advanced entry:
- Direct entry to year two is an appropriate HNC, such as HNC Interactive Media or HNC Digital Design and Web Development, with Grade B or above in Graded Unit 2; or equivalent
- Direct entry to year three of the degree is an appropriate HND, such as HND Interactive Media or HND Digital Design and Development, with grade B or above in the Graded Unit 2; or equivalent
Access routes
SWAP Access courses
If you are eligible to undertake Scottish Wider Access Programmes (SWAP), please visit our SWAP access list for further information on grade profiles and available subjects.
Year 1 - HNC
Year 2 - DipHE
You will study the following modules:
- Digital design - bitmaps and vectors (S2)
- Creating an e-business - start-up and self-promotion (S2)
- Responsive web design and server-side scripting (S1)
- Interactive media project (S1 + S2)
- Introduction to animation techniques (S1)
Year 3 - BSc
You will study the following core modules:
- Advanced design techniques (S1)
- Designing web-based applications (S1)
You will also select one of the following:
- Team project (Computing and interactive media) (S1 + S2)
- Work placement industry specific skills (S1 + S2)
You will choose one of the following option modules:
- Socially responsible interactive media (S1)
- Branching narrative for interactive content development (S1)
You will also choose two of the following option modules:
- 3D animation techniques (S2)
- Video and audio production techniques (S2)
- Games development (S2)
Year 4 - BSc (Hons)
You will study the following modules:
- Web programming (Computing and interactive media) (S1)
- Technologies in human computer interaction (HCI) (S1)
- Advanced topics in interactive media (S2)
- Dissertation: interactive media (60-credits) (S1 + S2)
How will I study my course?
- Full-time
- Part-time (structured)
- Part-time (unstructured)
You will learn through a combination of face-to-face and video conference lectures and tutorials, and online study via the university's virtual learning environment (VLE), making use of online learning materials and collaborative tools.
How long will my course last?
- Full-time: 4 years @ 40 hours per week
- Part-time (structured): 8 years @ 20 hours per week
Where can I study my course?
- Argyll
- Moray
- Shetland
- West Highland
Start date
- September
Fees
For students normally domiciled in Scotland, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:
This includes
- EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status in the UK,
- EEA/Swiss nationals with settled status in the UK
- EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
| Year | Level | 2022-23 Full-time | 2022-23 Part-time | 2023-24 Full-time | 2023-24 Part-time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | HNC | £1,285 | £86 (per HN credit) | £1,285 | £86 (per HN credit) |
| Year 2 | HND | £1,285 | £86 (per HN credit) | £1,285 | £86 (per HN credit) |
| Year 3 | Degree | £1,820 | £215 (per 20 credit module) | £1,820 | £305 (per 20 credit module) |
| Year 4 | Degree | £1,820 | £215 (per 20 credit module) | £1,820 | £305 (per 20 credit module) |
Rest of UK students
For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland, including Channel Islands and the Isle of Man), with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:
| Year | Level | 2021-22 Full-time | 2021-22 Part-time | 2022-23 Full-time | 2022-23 Part-time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | HNC | £7,110 | £474 (per HN credit) | £7,110 | £474 (per HN credit) |
| Year 2 | HND | £7,110 | £474 (per HN credit) | £7,110 | £474 (per HN credit) |
| Year 3 | Degree | £9,250 | £1,542 (per 20 credit module) | £9,250 | £1,542 (per 20 credit module) |
| Year 4 | Degree | free | £1,542 (per 20 credit module) | free | £1,542 (per 20 credit module) |
4th year free only for students studying full-time, on continuous study, who have paid for the previous three years at the University of the Highlands and Islands.
Fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.
There are a number of funding options available to UK and EU students to help you pay for your studies and your cost of living while studying.
EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled or pre-settled status in the UK.
Following the UK’s departure from the European Union, the Scottish Government confirmed that EU/EEA and Swiss nationals, who do not have settled or pre-settled status, will be considered as international for fee purposes. Students will get an automatic scholarship for the degree (3rd) year and the 4th year of study will be free for those studying full-time, on continuous study, who have paid for the previous three years at the University of the Highlands and Islands.
This includes EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
| Year | Level | 2022-23 Full-time | With scholarship | 2023-24 Full-time | With scholarship |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | HNC | £7,440 | £7,440 | £7,980 | £7,980 |
| Year 2 | HND | £7,440 | £7,440 | £7,980 | £7,980 |
| Year 3 | Degree | £14,310 | £10,310 | £15,360 | £11,360 |
| Year 4 | Honours | £14,310 | Free | £15,360 | Free |
Students will need Student Route visa sponsorship to study on the UK.
International students
For students who do not normally reside in the UK or European Union) and with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:
| Year | Level | 2022-23 Full-time | 2022-23 Part-time | 2023-24 Full-time | 2023-24 Part-time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | HNC | £7,440 | £496 (per HN credit) | £7,980 | £532 (per HN credit) |
| Year 2 | HND | £7,440 | £496 (per HN credit) | £7,980 | £532 (per HN credit) |
| Year 3 | Degree | £14,310 | £2,385 (per 20 credit module) | £15,360 | £2,560 (per 20 credit module) |
| Year 4 | Degree | £14,310 | £2,385 (per 20 credit module) | £15,360 | £2,560 (per 20 credit module) |
Part-time study is not open to international student requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study in the UK
Further information on international course fees.
A no fee increase guarantee is available for self-funding full-time and structured part-time rest of the UK, EU and international undergraduate students for continuous study for the same award, up to the permitted standard time limit for the relevant award, including where students are following a recognised ‘top-up’ degree structure where the first year and second is made up of an HNC/D award.
Funding
UHI has a number of scholarships, bursaries, awards, and discretionary fund opportunities available to new and current students. Please use the A-Z of funds or use the filter to see which ones may be relevant to you. All students are welcome to apply.
Further information on funding your studies is also available, please see the attached link or contact the relevant UHI partner.
What can I do on completion of my course?
Once you have successfully completed this course, you might like to consider careers in:
- Graphic design
- Website design and development
- App development
- Computer games
- Animation
- Visual effects and CGI
- Video and audio production
Is there more information available online?
You can use the above QR code to connect directly to the course details.
I enjoyed the balance of practical to theory-based learning, but I always knew that it was the web-based applications and development that really interested me, and this has stood me in good stead when looking for employment. Currently I work for The Football Pools as a Front-end Web Developer in Elgin. My job ranges from creation of visual prototyping of applications to physical coding, imagery creation, and integration.
The highlight of my university journey was graduating with first-class honours and being awarded 2018 Student of the Year. I will always look back on my time here with a smile on my face - I did it, and for those thinking about it, you can too!
Phil Forster graduated from the BA (Hons) Interactive Media in 2018 from our UHI Moray campus
The course was a great balance between design and coding. I was really pleased with how involved the lecturers were in my studies, and the smaller class sizes helped to give almost one-to-one tuition.
Between my second- and third-year studies, I did a summer placement at Hunted Cow Studios as a Game Scenario Designer. I was later offered a full-time position as a 3D artist. I hadn’t really thought about being in the games industry, but Interactive Media opened my eyes to the variety of avenues you can progress onto.
Natalie Seivwright completed her BA (Hons) in Interactive Media at UHI Moray in 2016.
I enjoyed the HNC and HND at UHI Moray, so I decided to progress onto the degree here, too. I also run my own business, AJF Web Design (www.ajfwebdesign.com), and was able to carry on working while studying.
I’ve managed to use almost everything I learned on the courses in the real world: it has particularly improved my business and helped me to offer a better service to my clients. Out of all the units, I think I got the most from the graphic design element. Our lecturer had a great knowledge of the industry and such a passion for what she did that it was hard not to enjoy everything about those classes.
Andrew French completed his BA (Hons) Interactive Media in 2018 at our UHI Moray campus.
Apply for Interactive Media BSc (Hons)
Please note that UHI North Highland, UHI Outer Hebrides and UHI West Highland will be changing their names to become UHI North, West and Hebrides in August 2023, subject to Scottish Government approval. This will not impact on your choice of course or how and where you will study.
We are delighted that you are thinking about studying at the University of the Highlands and Islands. We operate a fair and open admissions system committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination. We consider all applications on merit and on the basis of ability to achieve, without discrimination on grounds of gender, age, disability, ethnicity and socio-economic background. We welcome applications from all prospective students and aim to provide appropriate and efficient services to students with disabilities.